Hybrid System Overview
INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid®System ......................................... Hybrid System-2
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery ................... Hybrid System-2
High voltage cautions.............................. Hybrid System-2
Road accident cautions........................... Hybrid System-3
Emergency shut-off system................... Hybrid System-4
Operation of the hybrid system............ Hybrid System-4 Starting and slow speed driving...... Hybrid System-5
Medium or high speed driving ......... Hybrid System-5
Rapid acceleration............................... Hybrid System-5
Deceleration and braking .................. Hybrid System-5
Stopping................................................. Hybrid System-5 Energy monitors ....................................... Hybrid System-5
Assist charge gauge.......................... Hybrid System-6
Energy Flow........................................ Hybrid System-6
Fuel economy history....................... Hybrid System-7
Regenerative brake.................................. Hybrid System-8
Efficient use of your vehicle.................. Hybrid System-8
Approaching Vehicle Sound for
Pedestrians (VSP) system...................... Hybrid System-8
Hybrid vehicle precautions .................... Hybrid System-9 High voltage components............... Hybrid System-9
Hybrid vehicle characteristics ..... Hybrid System-10
Hybrid System-4Hybrid System Overview
delivered to an INFINITI retailer to
have the Li-ion battery pack and high
voltage parts such as the inverter,
including the wiring harness, re-
moved prior to painting. Li-ion bat-
tery packs exposed to heat in the
paint booth will experience capacity
loss. Damaged Li-ion battery packs
may also pose safety risks to un-
trained mechanics and repair person-
nel.The emergency shut-off system is activated
and the high-voltage system automatically
turns off in the following conditions:
.
Front and side collisions in which the air
bags are deployed.
. Certain rear collisions.
. Certain INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System malfunctions
For the above collisions and the certain
hybrid system malfunctions, the READY to
drive indicator light will turn off. See “Warn-
ing lights, indicator lights and audible re-
minders” (P.2-10).
The emergency shut-off activates for the
above collisions to minimize risk of an event
that could cause injury or an accident. If the
emergency shut-off system activates, the
hybrid system may not switched to READY
to drive position, it is recommended that you
contact an INFINITI retailer. Even if the
ignition switch is switched to READY to
drive position, the system may shut-off
suddenly. Therefore, drive cautiously to the
nearest INFINITI retailer or contact an
INFINITI retailer as soon as possible. To start the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System:
1. Depress the brake pedal and place the ignition switch in the ON position when
the transmission is in the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position (P is recommended).
(For more details, see “Push-button
ignition switch” (P.5-9).)
2. The READY to drive indicator light
flashes, then turns illuminated. (The
hybrid system switched to the READY
to drive mode when the indicator light
illuminates.)
When the READY to drive indicator light
illuminates, the vehicle can be driven, even if
the gasoline engine is not running.
NOTE:
The gasoline engine starts and stops auto-
matically. It may stop during low speed
driving, deceleration or when the vehicle is
stopped.
The gasoline engine may automatically run
in the following conditions:
. The level of remaining charge in the
Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is low. The
engine runs to charge the Li-ion battery
and to provide power to the drive the
vehicle.
. The temperature of the engine coolant is
low.
EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF SYSTEMOPERATION OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM
.Based on driving conditions.
. The shift lever is shifted to the P (Park)
position, the driver’s seat belt is re-
leased and the driver’s side door is then
opened.
The hybrid system operates as follows based
on driving conditions and the Li-ion battery
charge.
STARTING AND SLOW SPEED
DRIVING
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
depending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.
MEDIUM OR HIGH SPEED DRIV-
ING
The system automatically controls the gaso-
line engine and electric motor in order to
obtain the optimum fuel mileage and per-
formance, depending on the driving situation
and available Li-ion battery charge.
When the remaining battery level is low, the
Li-ion battery is charged by the electric
motor that is driven to generate electric
power while the vehicle is driving.
RAPID ACCELERATION
The vehicle is accelerated using both the
gasoline engine and the electric motor
depending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.
DECELERATION AND BRAKING
The Li-ion battery is charged by the electric
motor that changes the energy of the
rotating wheels into electric power. See
“Regenerative brake” (P.Hybrid System-8).
STOPPING
The gasoline engine may stop running to
save fuel depending on the available Li-ion
battery charge. The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®Sys-
tem monitors the status of power being sent
to the electric motor and the Lithium ion (Li-
ion) battery state of charge. The status is
shown on the assist charge gauge in the
meter and the energy flow/remaining Li-ion
battery charge in the vehicle information
display. System status can also be shown
when the screen is in the energy flow mode
or energy/fuel history mode.
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-5
ENERGY MONITORS
Hybrid System-8Hybrid System Overview
When the vehicle decelerates while the
vehicle is driven with the shift lever in the D
(drive) position or in the manual shift mode,
the Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery can be
charged by the electric motor. The electric
motor converts the energy of the rotating
wheels into electric power under the follow-
ing circumstances:
.When the accelerator pedal is released.
. When the brake pedal is depressed
. When there is no malfunction in the brake
system or the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System
The regenerative brake may not work prop-
erly if the vehicle has tires and road wheels
other than the ones specified in this manual.
Drive your vehicle with smooth acceleration
and deceleration.
. While driving, energy is recovered
through the regenerative brake as the
vehicle decelerates. However, for most
efficient use, do not accelerate or de-
celerate your vehicle more than neces-
sary.
. Avoid abrupt acceleration and decelera-
tion.
. The power of the Lithium ion (Li-ion)
battery can be checked on the Energy
Flow in the center display or Li-ion
battery status meter in the vehicle
information display. See “Energy Flow”
(P.Hybrid System-6) or “Trip computer”
(P.2-28). Gradual or non-abrupt accel-
eration and deceleration will make more
effective use of the electric motor
power, using less gasoline engine power.
. When parking, be sure to place the shift
lever in the P (Park) position. While
driving, place the shift lever in the D
(Drive) position.The Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedes-
trians (VSP) system is a function that uses
sound to help alert pedestrians of the
presence of the vehicle when it is being
driven at a low speed in the electric drive
mode under the following conditions:
. The sound starts when the vehicle starts
accelerating.
. The sound stops when the vehicle speed
is more than 19 MPH (30 km/h) while
accelerating.
. The sound starts when the vehicle speed
is less than 16 MPH (25 km/h) while
decelerating.
. The sound stops when the vehicle stops.
. The sound does not stop with the vehicle
in the R (Reverse) position even if the
vehicle stops.
The VSP system is automatically turned on
when the vehicle is in the READY to drive
mode.
If there is a malfunction in the VSP system,
the VSP OFF indicator light in the meter
illuminates. See “Approaching Vehicle Sound
for Pedestrians (VSP) OFF indicator light”
(P.2-18).
REGENERATIVE BRAKEEFFICIENT USE OF YOUR VEHICLEAPPROACHING VEHICLE SOUND
FOR PEDESTRIANS (VSP) SYSTEM
WARNING
.If the sound from the VSP system is
not heard while driving, stop the
vehicle in a safe and quiet location.
Open a window, and then place the
vehicle in the R (Reverse) position
with the brake pedal firmly de-
pressed. Check that the operating
sound can be heard from the front
side of the vehicle.
. If the sound cannot be heard, it is
recommended that you immediately
contact an INFINITI retailer for in-
spection.
HIGH VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
WARNING
.The INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid®System uses high voltage up to
approximately 408 volts. The system
can be hot while and after starting.
Be careful of both the high voltage
and the high temperature. Obey the
warning labels attached to the vehi-
cle.
. Never touch, disassemble, remove or
replace the high voltage parts, har-
nesses and their connectors. High
voltage harnesses are orange. Touch-
ing, disassembling, removing or re-
placing those parts and harnesses can
cause severe burns or electric shock
that may result in serious injury or
death.
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-9
HYBRID VEHICLE PRECAUTIONS
.Noise from the rear of the vehicle when
the hybrid system activates or deacti-
vates
. Noise and vibration when the gasoline
engine starts running or stops
. Operating noise or electric motor noise
when releasing the accelerator pedal or
depressing the brake pedal
. Engine noise due to rapid acceleration
. Fan noise from the air inlet located on the
rear parcel shelf
. Noise from the climate control system
. Noise from the vehicle in order to alert
pedestrians to the presence of an ap-
proaching vehicle. See “Approaching Ve-
hicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP)
system” (P.Hybrid System-8).
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-13
CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System. The following lights (if so
equipped) will come on:
,or(red),,,,,,
The following lights (if so equipped) come on
briefly and then go off:
,,or,,,,,,,,,(yellow)
If any light does not come on or operates in a
way other than described, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb and/or a system malfunc-
tion. It is recommended you have the system
checked by an INFINITI retailer.
Some indicators and warnings are also
displayed on the vehicle information display
between the speedometer and tachometer.
(See “Vehicle information display” (P.2-21).)
WARNING LIGHTS
12-volt battery charge warn-
ing light
If the light comes on when the ignition
switch is in the ON position, it may indicate
the charging system is not functioning
properly. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
CAUTION
The charging system may not be func-
tioning properly if the 12-volt battery
charge warning light comes on while the
hybrid system is running. The hybrid
system will stop operating when the
12-volt battery becomes discharged.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place and it is recommended you contact
your INFINITI retailer.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminates and then
turns off. This indicates the ABS is opera- tional.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
hybrid system is running, or while driving, it
may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock
assistance. (See “Brake system” (P.5-120).)
Automatic transmission check
warning light
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the light comes on for 2
seconds. If the light comes on at any other
time, it may indicate the transmission is not
functioning properly. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer to check and repair
the transmission.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)/
Blind Spot Intervention®(BSI) sys-
tem warning light (orange; if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the indicator light will first illumi-
nate in orange and turn green before turning
Instruments and controls2-11
2-12Instruments and controls
off. This indicates that the Blind Spot
Warning (BSW) and Blind Spot Interven-
tion
®(BSI) systems are operational.
If the light comes on in orange and remains
on, it may indicate that the BSW and BSI
systems are not functioning properly.
Although the vehicle is still driveable, have
the systems checked. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service. See
“Blind Spot Warning (BSW)” (P.5-31) and
“Blind Spot Intervention
®(BSI)” (P.5-40).
Brake system warning light
(yellow)
This light will illuminate after the hybrid
system is started and then turns off after a
few seconds.
WARNING
If both the brake system warning light
(yellow) and the brake warning light
(red) illuminate when the parking brake
is released and the hybrid system is on,
do not drive the vehicle. More brake
pedal effort than normal will be required
and there will be a significant reduction
in brake performance, which could result
in an accident. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe location and it is recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
If the brake system warning light (yellow)
illuminates when the ignition switch is in the
ON position, it may indicate a malfunction in
the brake system or one of the following
other functions.
. Regenerative brake system
. Hill start assist system
. Rise-up and build-up function
It is recommended you see an INFINITI
retailer for an inspection as soon as possible.
A chime sounds if a malfunction occurs in the
brake system power supply.
orBrake warning light
(red)
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the light comes on when the
parking brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning:
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on with the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle and
perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. If brake fluid
is low, add fluid and have the system
checked. It is recommended you have this
service performed by an INFINITI retai-
ler. (See “Brake fluid” (P.8-12).)
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked. It is recom-
mended you have this service performed
by an INFINITI retailer.
Brake system malfunction warning:
If the brake warning light (red) and the
following warning light illuminate at the
same time when the parking brake is re-
leased and the brake fluid level is sufficient,
there may be a malfunction in the brake
system.
. Brake system warning light (yellow)
WARNING
If both the brake system warning light
(yellow) and the brake warning light
(red) illuminate when the parking brake
is released and the hybrid system is on,
do not drive the vehicle. More brake
pedal effort than normal will be required
and there will be a significant reduction
in brake performance, which could result